Hi all
Just joined because i would like some tips and advice on what I can do to help.
A bit of background I moved onto this property in Jan 2022 and in the back there is a lake that has several mallard ducks and moor hens living it and some fish below the surface.
The lake is protected and maintained by the service company every 6 months.
The first summer I had bunch of ducklings from the mallards and the moorhens who all survived infancy and grew up just fine.
Every year since the moorhens ducklings are fine but there's 2 batches of mallard ducklings that hatch but only seem to live a few days. There's usually at least 7 and then they seem to disappear and reduce in number over the next few days.
For example 7 ducklings hatched last week, and now from what I can tell there is only 2 left alive. I'm yet to see any remains from any around.
They don't seem to be leaving the lake and just remain in the water
I was wondering if anyone could identify what the possible cause of death is and what I can do to keep them alive for longer.
There is a heron who is around the lake occasionally but I'm yet to see it eat any babies, foxes wouldn't go into the water to get the ducklings would they?
I've included a picture of the lake, i think the eggs are laid on the island on the right side but the ducklings don't live there after hatching but can't be certain.
Thanks again
Sad news about your Mallard ducklings ... if you google about Herons you will find many comments about how they do take ducklings under about 10 days old! Also mentions of cats, dogs, stoats, weasels & more! Nature at it's most distressing to witness but they can't all survive!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
I’ve just seen this. I’ve been wondering the same thing, there is a big pond near where I’ve lived for 30+ yrs. the ducklings this year have not survived bar one. We’ve had around 25 . Something I’ve noticed this year for the first time is the presence of Terrapins obviously dumped. They are carnivorous and won’t hesitate to eat ducklings or attack adults.
it’s been heartbreaking to see them just disappear, one day there was 10 newly hatched ducklings, the next day just 3, Maybe check your pond. It’s the worse it’s ever been this year.
Yes, terrapins do cause havoc. As well as mammals list above and herons, there are gulls and carrion crows that also pick off ducklings in that sort of location. If anyone has dumped a catfish in there, or pike, they too will take ducklings.
As I’ve said birds and other wildlife die every year. Raptors take other birds and other wildlife every year. Some birds take insects. Again I say as I’ve said many times that’s nature. If all wild birds and other wildlife survived 100% we would be overrun. It’s nature. Some years wildlife is successful. Some years less so!
Regards,
Ian.